Abstract
The paper discusses the operationalization of responsible research and innovation (RRI), drawing on empirical materials from a research project that explored ICT-enabled tools and methods for crowdsourcing in urban environmental research and decision- making. An integrated model for RRI is developed from prior studies, in which socially responsible crowdsourcing is described as an iterative and recursive process of inclusion, anticipation, reflexivity and responsiveness on the purpose, process, product and people components of the crowdsourcing project. The paper outlines four important aspects that influence the practice of RRI: time, interdisciplinary skills and capacities, design flexibility of ICT tools and strategic alliances between researchers and public officials. Theoretically, the paper contributes with an integrated conceptual model that further extends the already existing RRI framework.
Highlights
Crowdsourcing is an internet-based problem-solving and production model that leverages the collective intelligence of a distributed online community (Howe, 2006)
The research and innovation (RRI) framework played a key role in leading some of the project decisions and actions
Using the RRI framework as an analytical lens, socially responsible crowdsourcing can be described as a learning activity that involves iterative and recursive conduct of inclusion, anticipation, reflexivity and responsiveness on the purpose, process, product and people components
Summary
Crowdsourcing is an internet-based problem-solving and production model that leverages the collective intelligence of a distributed online community (Howe, 2006). Under an RRI framework, there should be inclusive deliberation on the direction of research and innovation from the outset of a project This should involve relevant stakeholders that are directly and indirectly impacted by the outcome of the effort, including the public. Inclusion covers activities that involve the identification of stakeholders who are directly and indirectly affected by the R&I process This dimension acknowledges the presence of different kinds of knowledge, including that of citizens, and it calls for their participation in the design and goal-setting dimensions of a project (Jirotka et al, 2017).So, a wide range of actors and publics should be involved in the entire R&I process, from the start through to the end. Once relevant stakeholders have been identified, R&I projects should create a space for stakeholder dialogue so that the possible risks, unintended social effects and potential benefits of the ICT-based activities, solutions and innovations can be anticipated This process implies gaining an understanding of the values, needs and wishes of society. Careful and thoughtful implementation of the model with shorter or longer iterations should result in accumulation of knowledge and eventual learning around these criteria
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